Convert Word to PDF And Add User Permissions

With our flagship Total Doc Converter software, you are not simply limited to converting MS Word files to PDF. You are also in complete control of the output in terms of permissions - a level of extra utility that puts this full-featured Word PDF Converter in a class of its own.

Quick answer: To convert Word to PDF and add user permissions, open Total Doc Converter, select your Word files, click the PDF button, and on the security tab set separate owner and user passwords plus the permissions you want to allow (printing, copying, editing). Press Start. Encryption applies to the whole batch at once, offline, with a digital-signature option for added trust.

You are able to set two different types of permission when you convert Word to encrypted PDF: one for the document owner and one for the regular user. The owner, naturally, will have access to the complete range of options whereas the regular user will find their options more carefully limited according to your preferences.

Many people consider PDFs as non-editable documents but this is actually not the case. A number of programs such as Adobe Acrobat exist which enable people to edit PDF documents. Users are also usually able to perform a wider set of tasks with PDFs including:

Viewing
Copying document data
Regular printing
High-resolution printing
Annotation
Form filling

Total Doc Converter allows you to take control over the permissions of all of these by setting user access levels in the settings wizard.

Total Doc Converter is designed for batch processing. When you are handling multiple files at once you are able to take advantage of presetting passwords that will be valid for all copies. You also, of course, have the option of setting a unique password for a particular file by processing it separately from the main batch when converting.

Total Doc Converter is known for the simplicity and power of its wizard-based user interface but exactly the same range of functionality is available via the command line where a full range of option flags are at the fingertips of power users.

No matter which way you choose to convert Word to PDF and add user permissions, the job will be carried out quickly and without difficulty.

In addition to using encryption to protect your documents, you also have the option of using a digital signature to further boost the security of your converted PDFs. Find more info about adding a digital signature to output PDF files here.

A full range of additional properties can be set prior to conversion including paper format, font style, margins and even compression level for images inside the document.

All these features and more are available in our 30-day free trial version. Download it today and start taking charge of your Word to PDF conversion workflow!

Total Doc Converter Customer Reviews 2026

Rate ItRated 4.7/5 based on customer reviews

"We send signed subcontractor agreements as PDFs and needed to stop people from editing the terms after the fact. Total Doc Converter let me set an owner password plus separate user permissions restricting printing and editing in the same batch job, right from the security tab. Digital signing on top of that closed the last gap in our workflow."

4 Star Charlotte Beaumont Contracts Manager, Beaumont Construction Group

"Locking down internal policy documents converted from Word meant setting different passwords for owners versus general staff, and restricting copying entirely. Total Doc Converter applied encryption across the whole batch of files at once, so I didn't have to open each PDF individually to set permissions."

5 Star Felix Amara IT Security Analyst, Amara Financial Group

"Employee handbooks converted from Word to PDF needed printing disabled but viewing allowed for everyone in the company. The permissions panel let me configure exactly that in one pass, applied it to the entire batch, and the digital signature option gave us the audit trail our legal team asked for."

5 Star Ji-woo Han HR Director, Han Manufacturing Solutions

Word to PDF with User Permissions — FAQ ▼

How do I convert Word to PDF and add user permissions?

Open Total Doc Converter, select your Word files, click the PDF button, and on the security tab set owner and user passwords plus the permissions you want to allow. Press Start and each file becomes an encrypted PDF.

What is the difference between an owner and a user password?

The owner password unlocks the full range of options on the PDF. The user password gives restricted access limited to the permissions you choose, such as viewing or printing only.

Which permissions can I control on the PDF?

Total Doc Converter lets you allow or block viewing, copying document data, regular printing, high-resolution printing, annotation, and form filling. Set each one in the settings wizard.

Can I apply the same password to a whole batch of Word files?

Yes. When you process multiple files at once you can preset passwords that apply to every copy. To use a unique password for one file, convert it separately from the main batch.

Can I add a digital signature when converting Word to PDF?

Yes. Besides encryption, Total Doc Converter can apply a certificate-based digital signature to the output PDF for added security and proof the document was not altered.

Is converting Word to encrypted PDF free?

All these features are in the 30-day free trial, which needs no email or credit card. A personal license is a one-time $49.90.

Can I set Word to PDF permissions from the command line?

Yes. The same functionality is available via the command line with a full range of option flags, so you can automate encrypted-PDF creation in scripts and scheduled tasks.